U.S. Senate race: Where the candidates stand on the issues

The 2014 U.S. Senate election in Louisiana will be held Nov. 4, 2014. Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu is running for re-election against Republicans Dr. Bill Cassidy and Rob Maness.

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Meet the Candidates

Democrat Mary Landrieu is running for her fourth term as U.S. Senator. She assumed office Jan. 3, 1997 and also serves as chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Previously she was chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship (2009-2014), Louisiana State Treasurer (1988-1996), and a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives (1980-1988).

Republican Bill Cassidy is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 6th district. He assumed office Jan. 3, 2009. Previously he was a member of the Louisiana Senate from the 16th district (2006-2009).

Republican Rob Manessjoined the Air Force at age 17. He worked his way up from the enlisted ranks to full colonel and retired from active duty in 2011, ending his military service of more than 32 years. The tea party-backed candidate has been endorsed by Sarah Palin.

Mary Landrieu: Landrieu in March proposed legislation toward making the Affordable Care Act work better for families and businesses in Louisiana. The bills aim to offer more convenient and greater access to coverage, provide greater choice and increase affordability, and improve flexibility for workers and businesses.

Bill Cassidy: Cassidy's approach to health care reform includes patient choice,
consumer-driven care, transparency in pricing, information portals,
guaranteed renewal, preserving the family, allowing plans to be sold
across state lines and tort reform. "When we repeal Obamacare we will need
cost-effective solutions."

Rob Maness: Develop and implement common sense, free-market reforms. "With no incentive to keep cost down or provide good medical
service, we've seen the lack of quality care evident in the government model."

Medicaid

Nationally Democratics and Republicans have been at odds over whether states should expand Medicaid.

Republican candidates have sided with Gov. Bobby Jindal, who declined to expand Medicaid.

Democrats argue that expansion would help thousands of uninsured and working poor in the two states.

Mary Landrieu:

Landrieu and Jindal have sparred over health care policies, including whether to expand Medicaid.

Landrieu urged supporters this week to sign a petition calling for Jindal to close the "Jindal Gap'' and accept expansion.

Bill Cassidy:

Cassidy opposes expanding Medicaid.

"I'm not in favor of expanding a broken system, which is unsustainable. But if we could change the system to give the governors and the federal taxpayer and the state taxpayer the sort of flexibility that our bill includes, than I would be. But right now there is no flexibility for how it is implemented."

Rob Maness:

"The president and Sen. Landrieu's goal to expand Medicaid shows that he does not believe Americans should have the rights and dignity to provide for themselves, and it proves that he does not care if it bankrupts our country,"

Energy/Drilling

Mary Landrieu:

Landrieu, as chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, on June 18 passed her bill to approve the construction of the Keystone pipeline through the Senate Energy Committee. She vowed to push for a final vote on the Senate floor.

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recent Americans for Prosperity ad argues Landrieu's position as leader of the Senate energy committee hasn't helped Louisiana, as her support hasn't forced a Senate vote on advancing the long-delayed pipeline project.

Bill Cassidy: Cassidy says the road to better jobs with better wages and benefits runs through developing domestic energy resources. He has proposed legislation promoting natural gas as a transportation fuel, supports hydraulic fracturing, and building the Keystone XL Pipeline.

Rob Maness: "We need to increase oil refinery capacity, provide fast-track approval for job creating projects such as the Keystone pipeline while continuing to explore successful natural gas production and free up more federal land for drilling."

Education

Mary Landrieu: Landrieu says an excellent education for all children is a top priority and has supported charter school quality as co-chair of the Senate Public Charter School Caucus. She has fought to sustain the Pell Grant Program, provided financial relief to hurricane-impacted Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and worked to fix No Child Left Behind.

Bill Cassidy: Cassidy believes parents and teachers, not federal bureaucrats, will make the best education decisions for students. He says parents should have a right to choose the best educational opportunities for their children, including homeschooling, private and parochial schools, charter schools, or public schools. Bill and Laura Cassidy are particularly passionate about educating the public about dyslexia.

Rob Maness: "We must ensure curriculum control remains at the local level, and where Common Core standards developed by state or federal government-supported non-governmental organizations have been adopted, defund them and return control to parents and local school boards."

Second Amendment

Mary Landrieu: Landrieu voted in 2013 for legislation to strengthen and clarify Second Amendment rights and help reduce gun violence. Landrieu voted against the assault weapons ban and restrictions on the size of magazines.

Bill Cassidy: Cassidy is proud to have an A rating from the National Rifle Association. He says he will fight to ensure that Louisiana will not surrender its right to practice the traditions of the Sportsman's Paradise, nor will it surrender the right of its citizens to defend themselves.

Rob Maness: "I will fight to ensure that no one tramples on your guaranteed rights." Maness says Landrieu voted against an amendment that would have prevented the U.S. from entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty.

Border Security

Mary Landrieu: As chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Landrieu's Fiscal Year 2012 appropriations legislation provides funding for 21,370 Border Patrol agents and canine teams, $400 million for border fencing, $33 million for air and marine assets, and funding to stop criminal organizations responsible for smuggling in weapons, narcotics, and aliens; conducting inspections to determine workers' legal statuses; and removing criminals from the country.

Bill Cassidy: Cassidy opposes amnesty or any comprehensive approach to immigration reform. "If we do not secure our border, any immigration reform will be meaningless."

Rob Maness: "We cannot consider immigration reform before we secure our border. I will fight any proposal that does not include achievable and verifiable border security. I also support ending 'birthright citizenship.'"